Parents
What have we learned from the EGDS?
The EGDS is a nationwide study that seeks to understand the relationship between heredity and family environment — that is, nature and nurture—and how the two work together and separately in child development. The research that the EGDS has done is being used to answer some of the most pressing health questions facing children and teens in the United States. Check out our key findings page to see exactly how your participation in EGDS is aiding this goal!
Resources for Parents in the EGDS
Parenting Resources
Adoption Resources
- North American Council on Adoptable Children
- National Institute of Health/Medline Plus Health Information
- Adoption.com
Child Development Links
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Child Development Institute
- Zero to Three
- Brainwonders
Research Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EGDS?
The Early Growth and Development Study is a longitudinal study made up of many different types of families. We collect information from the same families at multiple time points, from birth until, currently, adolescence. We are interested in finding ways to help children grow and develop to their fullest potential by getting a better understanding of what affects the way that children grow up.
What is ECHO?
ECHO stands for Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes. The ECHO project is a collaboration of 83 existing studies teaming up to collect information from about 50,000 children about the development of children’s physical and mental health. As part of the ECHO project, we will be working with researchers from all over the country in an exciting and unique new approach to collecting more comprehensive information on what affects the way that children grow up.
How do you protect participant information?
One significant way we protect your data is through de-identification. Your survey answers, medical record information, biological samples, etc are connected to an ID number rather than your name or other identifying information (your address, phone numbers, etc). Very few people have access to the list that links your name to your ID number and those that do have that access are trained to be extremely careful to keep names separate from data. Basically, if the information is not absolutely needed for a staff member to do their work they will not be able to see that information.
We also protect information by keeping it on secure servers, keeping paper files locked in cabinets when not being used, and limiting study spaces to people who work for the study and therefore have completed the ethical research practice training.
Who is eligible for the EGDS-ECHO Study?
Only families who are already participants in our study will be eligible to participate. For those families, most children in your family who will be at least age 3 and not older than 18 in 2019 will be eligible to participate. A study recruiter will confirm which children in your family are eligible. All parents are eligible.
Who is eligible for the Adolescence Project?
Children who have been in the EGDS study since infancy and will be at least 11 years old by 2020.